Eugenia Alikhanova was born in Moscow, Russia. At age 9, she attended Central Music School, an institute for promising young musicians, where she studied with the eminent violin professor, Yuri Yankelevich. Eugenia continued her training with Yankelevich at the Moscow Conservatory and served as his teaching assistant even prior to graduation. Eugenia then earned her doctorate from the Gnessin Musical Institute, where she studied with Valentin Berlinsky, the cellist from the world-renowned Borodin Quartet. She later taught at the Ippolitov-Ivanov Music College as well as the Gnessin Musical Institute.

 

In 1975, Eugenia founded the Moscow String Quartet and served as its first violinist. In its 40-plus years of performing, the Moscow String Quartet toured the world extensively, made many recordings; often showcasing unique repertoire, and won International Quartet Competitions in Budapest, Hungary and Evian, France.

 

In 1990, the quartet traveled to the United States for the first time to take part in the Grand Teton Music Festival. Starting in 1991, the quartet participated in two quartet-in-residence stints, first at University of Denver for five years, then University of Colorado/Denver for seven.

 

Today, Eugenia fulfills her passion for teaching with great success as many of her students have gained acceptance into the top U.S. conservatories. She also continues to perform chamber music with different ensembles including the Sonority Trio.